I would like to represent the RMC for General and/or Jurisdictional Conferences. I am passionate for seeking positive change in the institution of the church, so we can work towards the mission of transforming the world. As a young adult, I am seeking ways to rekindle faith in my generation and those younger, and my call as a Deacon leads me to find opportunities for this from within and beyond the walls of the local church. I believe we can learn from each other and can find God in our differences, not by confining or removing them.

Denise Bender

As an ordained deacon – moving the church into the world –I offer my availability for the work of The UMC. My ministry role as deacon consulting with multiple churches, I have seen the least and lost struggling to embrace the concept of grace. I offer my voice to advocate for the marginalized and all who need the church to be a place that participates in the conversations and actions of today’s faith and the stories of the faithful. The hope and promise found in the scriptures can be lived out through our own thoughtful and transformative experiences with the holy.

Mike Dent

I would consider it an honor to serve as a RMC delegate to the 2016 WJC and a reserve delegate to the 2016 GC. Having attended nine World, General, and Jurisdictional Conferences and having been a delegate at each level, I am acquainted with the church’s workings.

It has been my privilege to serve the RMC on the BOM, Metro DCOM, IMN Campaign Co-Chair, MEF Chair, and Iliff Trustee Board Member. A fourth-generation Methodist and a pastor since age 20, I have planted a new church, as well as serving two historic downtown congregations for the past 19 years.

Aaron M. Gray

I continue to believe in a vision that provides a voice to those living on the margins of our culture. I believe in peacemaking for the United Methodist Church which will require being a disciple, and naming the great diversity of people as seekers who are less concerned about ritual and rules as they are for finding a spiritual place, and, where their desire is to see God!

Jerry Herships

I think the church is moving into an exciting time. Challenging, frustrating at times, but above all exciting. I believe this excitement can be generated from the top down as well as in the grass roots fashion. I think our Jurisdiction can lead the charge in making daring, exciting choices and I think we are at a time in the church when these choice are not only suggested but required. The most dangerous move we can make is to play it safe. I think there is excitement in the UMC and if we are willing to adapt and change, some of our best years could be in front of us.

Kent Ingram

First of all, I want to thank the conference for electing me as a reserve delegate to General Conference last Quadrennium. I would be honored to serve again in any capacity that the conference sees as appropriate. I bring a wealth of connections from across the church. I am passionate about the local church where I have served for 34 years. I am committed to the unity of this church I love. I am supportive of the full inclusion of all people in the ministry and leadership of the church. I also take my ordination to “order” very seriously, as seen by my service to the conference.

Cathie (Catherine) Kelsey

The UMC is the largest, most globally diverse, democratically run organization in history. If we learn how to work together with our shared faith in Jesus, under shared guidance of Holy Spirit, and with our significant differences largely intact, a new piece of the Kingdom of God will emerge as a gift to our struggling world. That possibility is worth our best effort. Second, the Holy Spirit is inspiring a multitude of forms of faith community. Our Discipline needs to be able to embrace what is being birthed in our time. Finally, Iliff fully supports the time needed to serve.

Brad Laurvick

My desire to serve as a GC delegate stems from a sense of call. My gifts and graces have prepared me for the petitions, committees, procedures, and debate that facilitate discerning God's will at GC. My previous service as a delegate has given me the experience necessary to face the difficult work that lies before us. I do not seek to go because of a single issue, but to engage the work of the church, representing the values I learned in the churches of the RMC, where I discovered my call to serve the local church and the general church.

Elizabeth McVicker

Serving the RMC as a delegate would be a tremendous honor and opportunity to contribute to the UMC. I was ordained elder in the Desert-Southwest Conference in 1999, have served 5 congregations, born in Burma, and Chinese American. I serve the RMC as Conference Secretary, co-lead a clergy circuit group, Religion and Race, clergy coach, and conflict transformation team. Through involvement in the RMC in a wide variety of capacities, I have developed a sense of the strengths of the denomination, and an understanding that God is calling United Methodists to envision new forms of ministry.

Trudy Robinson

I want the church to change. I want the church to be more agile to respond to different cultures, changing culture and new cultures. I want the church to be the leading voice for justice, a consistent beacon for love for all, and a more impactful agent of change in the world. I've learned how to change a local church. I learned how much is required to change the larger church in 2012. Still I'd like to go again. I'd like to go to speak to justice, witness to love, and be an agent of change.

Jessica Rooks

I believe it is possible to gather as the UMC in a spirit of holy conferencing and holy conversation, open to God working through us. I believe the issues and challenges we face are not easy, and are not either/or, black/white, win/lose issues. I believe in beginning with respect for all persons, and listening to all voices. It is in this spirit and with these beliefs that I put my name forward as a delegate, in the hopes of representing our diverse Rocky Mountain Conference.

Walter “Skip” Strickland

District Superintendent Peak and NECO Sub Districts

Within the Christian faith, United Methodism is a grand experiment to unite people diverse in theology, ethnic/culture, geography, age, gender, power and sexual identity. This noble experiment should continue. Options supporting diversity of structure and perspective will contribute to church vitality. Significant conference staff positions, past General and Jurisdictional Conference delegation and leadership experience, serving as a General Commission on Communication Commissioner equip me with coalitions building abilities, relationships throughout denomination, extensive knowledge of the Book of Discipline, and an understanding of episcopal leadership skills needed for the present and future UMC.

Sione Tukutau

I have served the Rocky Mountain Conference for 17 years; 14 years at local churches and 3 as a District Superintendent for the Utah/Western Colorado District.

As a first generation Pacific Islander who has been shaped by his tradition and culture, and has been exposed to and learned tremendous creative skills, cultural differences and challenges in ministry; I believe that I would benefit both the General and Jurisdictional Conferences. I come from a very traditional, conservative background, but having served in both conservative and liberal churches, I believe I would be a key agent to bridge the issues between both.